Iraq: 276 suspicious deaths of women recorded as “suicide” in 2020
The rate of suicide cases is increasing in Iraq; a total of 2, 197 suicide cases were recorded between 2017 and 2020. 386 men committed suicide in 2020 while this number was 276 for women, say official reports. Former member of the Human Rights Commission and women's rights activist Büşra al-Ubeydi drew attention to the suspicious deaths of women recorded as suicide in the country.
SUHAM AKMAN
News Center- Suicide cases are increasing all around the world. Iraq is one of the countries having the highest suicide cases and the increasing suicide cases are raising concerns in the country. Although unemployment, poverty, war, and psychological problems are cited as reasons for suicides, suspicious deaths of women are recorded as suicides in the country. “We carried out activities to end suicide cases, and as a result of our studies, we found that there are many factors that lead to suicide. We found out that there are three main reasons for suicide; the economic situation of families and unemployment, domestic violence and psychological depressions. In order to reduce or eliminate all these reasons, we called on government and the authorities and offered them to work together,” said Secad Cuma, Kirkuk Branch officer of the High Commission for Human Rights of Iraq.
“Reports are insufficient and unclear”
Professor of Sociology, Ala Saffar spoke to our news agency about the issue and she noted that the reports on suicide cases are mostly insufficient or unclear. “The murder of women by hanging or burning is an important issue, particularly in tribal societies. The health and security officers are pushed to deliver the dead bodies as soon as possible for the burial process and this prevents a comprehensive investigation to be carried out into these cases.”
“Some femicide cases recorded as suicides”
Former member of the Human Rights Commission and women's rights activist Büşra al-Ubeydi stated that the most important reason of the suicides among girls is domestic violence and social pressures. The suicide rate among girls was very high in November. Some cases were kept secret and statistics on all suicides are not available. For this reason, some femicide cases were recorded as suicide cases.”
2, 197 suicide cases in four years
In Iraq, 662 suicide cases were reported in 2020, 594 in 2019, 519 in 2018, and 422 in 2017. 386 men committed suicide in 2020 while this number was 276 for women, say official reports.